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calvaria

calvaria

9.9
The top rounded part of the skull that covers the brain
  • noun
  • /kælˈvɛəriə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : calvaria
  • The doctor examined the calvaria to diagnose the patient's condition.

Examples

  • The tumor invaded the calvaria.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Cavernous hemangiomas most commonly affect the calvaria.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The most common sites of all types of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis are the calvaria, ribs, and femur, although virtually any bone can be affected.

    Academic text (2002)
  • In infants, the calvaria is not fully developed, allowing for brain growth.

  • The archaeologists discovered a well-preserved calvaria during their excavation.

Synonyms

skull
vscalvaria
  • Specialized
415 1.3

A bony structure of the head that protects the brain

is limited to the upper dome rather than the entire head skeleton
cranium
vscalvaria
  • Specialized
20 5.7

The part of the skull that covers and protects the brain

is limited to the upper dome rather than the whole enclosing structure
brainpan
vscalvaria
2 9.6

The hard part of the skull that covers and protects the brain inside the head

is confined to the dome area rather than the whole skull enclosure
skullcap
vscalvaria
  • Specialized
1 7.8

The top part of the head bone that forms the curved top and protects the brain

is the same dome area but uses a different anatomical term
braincase
vscalvaria
  • Specialized
1 7.0

Part of the skull that holds and protects the brain

is narrower, referring only to the upper dome rather than the entire enclosing part
calvarium
vscalvaria
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The top part of the skull that covers and protects the brain

is the same in meaning but uses an alternative form

Surface Forms

calvaria singular
calvariae plural

Etymology

Calvaria comes from the Latin calvus, which means 'bald'. So calvaria names the dome-like top of the skull that looks like a 'bald' head and that covers the brain.